Local athletes turn in top marks on international arena

A number of Bahamian track and field athletes are slated high on the latest ranking lists released by the governing body for the sport, the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF).

The new list came out 21 days before, what some are calling, the biggest international meet this year, the IAAF World Championships. That meet will take place in Moscow, Russia, August 10-18. Five male athletes are ranked in the top 200, in the 100 meters (m) and six in the 200m.

One of several athletes having posted the 27th fastest time in the yard dash was Derrick Atkins. That time of 10.06 seconds placed him ahead of Shavez Hart, who is 67th with 10.16 seconds and Warren Fraser who is 125th.

Fraser’s 10.24 seconds is better than Trevorvano Mackey and Adrian Griffith, both stopped the clock at 10.25 seconds and 10.29 seconds, respectively.

In the 200m, Michael Mathieu has 20.35 seconds for 32, while Jamial Rolle ran 20.51 seconds on the year. Mackey’s season’s best is 20.60 seconds and Ramon Miller 20.63 seconds. Young sprinter/quartermiler, Stephen Newbold clocked 20.76 and Hart 20.80 seconds.

Leading the way, for The Bahamas, in the 400m is Miller, who has a season’s best of 44.93 seconds. Fellow countryman Mathieu has turned in 45.21 seconds and national record holder Chris Brown, 45.24 seconds. Making a comeback is Latoy Williams with 45.26 seconds, Wesley Neymour ran 45.54 second and Newbold 45.94 seconds. Also appearing on the list is Alonzo Russell with 46.14 seconds.

The fastest time in the 100m by any Bahamian female sprinter is 11.18 seconds, turned in by Sheniqua Ferguson. Also in the mix are Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Cache Armbrister and Tynia Gaither. Anthonique Strachan has the third fastest time in the world, so far, in the 200m. Sitting in the 11th spot is Shaunae Miller. Strachan’s marking is 22.32 seconds and Miller’s is 22.45 seconds. Freeport native Nivea Smith crossed the finish line at 23.17 seconds; Gaither has a best of 23.29 seconds and Ferguson 23.32 seconds.

Miller is the only Bahamian that appears in the 400m, coming in with the 14th fastest time, 50.70 seconds. Bianca Stuart and Raymond Higgs are the top long jumpers for the country. Higgs landed 7.90m and Stuart 6.73m.

Donald Thomas is on a long list of jumpers who have cleared 2.31m in the high jump event. That mark is the seventh best in the world. Ryan Ingraham has cleared 2.30m and Jamal Wilson 2.28m. Trevor Barry is slated at 59 with 2.24m.

The Bahamas has the 17th best time, for men, in the world in the 4x100m. As for the female squad, the time of 43.90 seconds places that team 43rd in the world. The Bahamas’ men have turned in 38.77 seconds. The 4x400m time is 3:02.23 and places the men’s team seventh overall, the women’s time is 3:32.90.